Comparison & Contrast

Introduction

Advanced comparison and contrast patterns let you draw nuanced distinctions, highlight contradictions, and present opposing viewpoints. They're the tools of critical analysis.

Essential for essays, debates, and any sophisticated discussion.

Themes

All Japanese Grammar Advanced in This Chapter (12)

1. むしろ むしろ An adverb meaning 'rather' or 'instead,' used when the speaker chooses or recommends one option over another. It implies that the chosen ...
2. 割に（は） わりに A phrase meaning 'considering' or 'for (the degree of),' used to express that the result or situation is disproportionate to what one wou...
3. 反面 はんめん A conjunction meaning 'on the other hand' or 'while,' used to contrast the positive and negative aspects, or two opposing qualities, of t...
4. ～といい～といい といい A structure meaning 'whether it's ~ or ~,' used to introduce two representative aspects of a person or thing in order to support an overa...
5. ～の～のと ののと A structure used to quote what someone says or complains about, conveying the speaker's annoyance, exasperation, or dismissive attitude t...
6. ～も～ば～も～ もばも A structure meaning 'not only ~ but also ~,' used to present two or more representative examples of actions, states, or qualities to illu...
7. ～やら～やら やら A structure meaning 'things like ~ and ~,' used to list examples of things, events, or actions — often with a sense of being overwhelmed,...
8. ～わ～わ わ A structure that emphatically lists multiple actions, events, or states as examples, typically to describe an overwhelming or extreme sit...
9. ～と言わず～と言わず といわず A structure meaning 'not just ~ and ~ but everywhere/everything,' indicating that something applies not only to the two examples mentione...
10. あたかも あたかも An adverb meaning 'as if' or 'just as though,' used to present a counter-factual or figurative comparison emphatically. It describes some...
11. かのように かのように A conjunctive phrase meaning 'as if' or 'as though,' used to form an adverbial clause describing the manner in which something appears or...
12. どちらかと言うと どちらかというと A phrase meaning 'if anything,' 'rather,' or 'if I had to choose,' used when the speaker hedges before stating a mild preference or leani...